3 Chefs, 3 Vineyards Featured at DeBartolo Dinner
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Those looking to blend the best food in the Mahoning Valley with some of the best wine from California’s Napa Valley need only attend The Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation dinner June 13.
The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.
“It is going to be an exciting evening,” says Dr. John York. He and his wife, Denise DeBartolo York, host the fundraiser each year. Proceeds from the dinner and celebrity auction go to the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation.
DeBartolo York is continuing the fundraising dinner her father, DeBartolo Sr., established. “She resurrected the dinner event and has run the dinner herself for the last 19 years,” York says.
In that time, the foundation has allocated $840,000 in scholarships to 131 graduating high school students to further their education, York says.
“Denise looks for academically qualified students, but also students who have been dealt a somewhat difficult life,” he says.
Often, these are young people live with a member of their extended family, or care for their siblings or an ill parent, York notes. “That’s really her soft spot and what she’s looking for to try to help these young people.”
Twelve students from various backgrounds and schools received scholarship awards this year at a luncheon May 11.
“I’m very proud,” DeBartolo York told guests at the luncheon. “I’m proud that I had two parents who gave me the resources to be able to do this. Every year, it’s a tribute to them.”
This year’s dinner, June 13, will be held at the Covelli Centre and feature small-plate dinners that three of the top chefs in the area will prepare and wine from three Napa Valley winemakers, York says.
Beaulieu Vineyard, one of the oldest in the Napa Valley, has been in business since the early 1900s, York says, and Beaulieu’s winemaker, Jeffrey Stambor, will be on hand to pour. “Jeffrey is a graduate of the Rayen School,” he says.
Spottswoode, another Napa Valley vineyard, produces an organic cabernet, and the vineyard’s second-generation owner, Beth Milliken, will attend.
The third Napa Valley winery scheduled for the evening is Mi Sueno, a vineyard established by Rolando Herrera, who began working in the vineyards of the Napa Valley during the 1970s, He started his own winery in 1997. His sister-in-law and the CEO, Vanessa Robledo, will also be present to pour their wine, York says.
“All of these wines are poured in the best restaurants in San Francisco and all are poured at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry,” an exclusive California restaurant, says York, who is also co-owner of the San Francisco 49ers.
Jeff Chrystal of Overture, Leo DelGarbino and Michael Strollo of Leo’s Ristorante in Warren, and Vernon Cesta of Vernon’s Café in Niles are the featured local chefs.
“They’re excited to be part of this,” York says.
At the dinner, local and national sports celebrities, such as 49ers head coach Chip Kelly, will mix with the guests, York says.
The fundraiser is open to all and those looking to buy tickets – they’re $200 each — should call the DeBartolo Corp., 330 965 2000, because they will not be sold at the door.
“We are looking for a little larger crowd, and we’ll see if we get more than the 400 people who have attended in the past,” York said.
Pictured: Dr. John York shows three of the wines produced in Napa Valley that will be sampled at the June 13 fundraising event.
VIDEO:
‘3 Minutes With’ Dr. John York
‘3 Minutes With’ 2016 Scholarship Recipients
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